Ohio
Making healthy food accessible in underserved Ohio communities
AKRON, Ohio — The U.S. Division of Agriculture’s Wholesome Meals Financing Initiative (HFFI) awarded the Paing Household Asian Grocery retailer with grant funding, which will probably be used to extend entry to wholesome meals within the retailer’s south Akron neighborhood.
Siri Paing mentioned she and her household are refugees from Myanmar. She mentioned they got here to America in 2013 and took over what’s now referred to as the Paing Household Asian Grocery in 2019.
The shop has bought Asian items and groceries for greater than 30 years. Paing defined the constructing itself hasn’t had any upgrades throughout that point.
“The roof may be very previous; it’s been right here a very long time—over 30 years right here,” Paing mentioned. “On this constructing, we solely have one air conditioner, so we’d like extra. We have to replace the cooler and freezer, to get extra meals and get extra greens for the purchasers.”
Proper now, Paing mentioned the shop is just in a position to obtain shipments of contemporary produce as soon as per week on account of their lack of freezer and cooler house.
This can be a drawback for the individuals in her group as a result of the Paing Household Asian Grocery is the one walkable place within the neighborhood that sells contemporary, inexpensive meals.
“Round right here, (this) is the one place they will get some kind of vegetable, the place they will stroll and get it right here,” she mentioned. “Typically, the purchasers come on like Monday, they usually ask for issues and say, ‘Do you might have this?’ and I’ve to inform them we don’t have anymore—it’s bought out.”
Because of the award cash from the Wholesome Meals Financing Initiative, Paing will have the ability to make these crucial updates to her retailer.
“It’s actually laborious to get these with out the grant,” she admitted.
She mentioned this cash will make it simpler for her to supply a spot for her group to have entry to wholesome meals.